The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-11-10

highest honors in Robert lie Diable,n
"Purltani" and "Sonnambula." But as
she had always distaste for the operatic
stage, she abandoned it at the close Of her
London engagement for oratorios and
concerts. In 1860 she entered intoa con-
tract with Mr.. z. 7. Baruum, the famous
Snowman, to give 80 concerts in the
United States. The enthusiasm which
her singing created was beyond all con-
ception. The crowds that attended her
concerts were enormous, and most ex-
travagant prices were paid for the choice
of seats. But the methods of Barnum,
combined with the strain upon her powers,
were too much for her. After singing
ninety-fve times she induced Mr.. Barnum
to surrender the contract, and in 1852,
some six or eight months later, married
Mr. Otto Go!dschmidt, and going back to
Europe withdrew, at the age of thirty-one,
to the seclusion of private life. For
several years the newly married couple
lived in Dresden, but in 1858 they took I'D
their permanent residence in England.
Three children were born to them-one
daughter aud two sons. Their home for
years has been a house covered with vines
and surrounded by trees and flowers, but
Jenny Lind was for long time cofrmed
invalid, and would very rarely see the
casual caller. To all Americans who
knocked at her door to pay their respects,
the servants, who lived with her for the
last thirty years, delivered the message
that Jennie Lind wishes them to say
that she would never cease TO love the
American people with all her heart" She
recently had stroke of general paralysis,
which, however, left her brain unim paired.
In private life Jenny Lind was a most
charming woman. She was very charita-
BILE, and even up to the date of her recent
illness was in the habit of, without mate
rial resompense, giving musical in
struction to class of poor young women.
When on the stage her munifcent and
genuine lberality was almost prodigal
The immense proceeds of her American
tour were devoted to the establishment
of free school system in her native land
When in America she disposed of
large sums in charity. She heard of
society in Sweden, the object of which
was to take unfortunate children out of
the hands of their parents, by whom they
were compelled to steal, and place them
in better circumstances. Benevolent peo-
pie subscribed annually for the support
purpose we're small. She at once gave
performance, but insisted upon double
prices, which returned large proceeds,
which we're devoted to the purpose named.
Upon the death of Mendelssohn, Novem-
Der I, 1S47, Miss Lind was much affected,
and she Immediately took the initiative in
movement to render a worthy tribute to
his memory. A concert was given in
| I
of this idea. Elijah" was the work
chosen by Miss Lind to do homage to her
departed friend. The serious part of the
work was written expressly for her by
Mendelssohn. The receipts exceeded
e1,7OO, and led, with subsequent additions,
to the foundation of permanent scholar
ship, the first scholar elected, six years
later, being the English composer, Sir
Arthur Sullivan, the author Of "Pinafore,"
and other similar works.
From the time of her last concert IN the
United States, Jenny Lind Goldschmidt
never sang in public, except for charitable
purposes. When she retired she was at
the height of her fame, and if she had
continued to pursue her profession, money
would have flowed in to her. But while
she expended comparatively little on her
. self, she was the soul of goodness to
others. 1t was her fortunate lot, after
struggling with poverty in her childhood,
e to win all hearts, not only by the sweet
3 ness of her voice and the passion she
threw into her singing, but also by tho
! simplicity and purity of her character,
! and the good name she won in the days of
her fame she retained through all her
3 after life, and in her death the world will
recognize the loss of one of the sweetest
singers and truest women.